Stacey Dooley described Nelson as a "total star", while EastEnders actress Tilly Keeper praised the singer's bravery, saying her story was "necessary in today's technological and social media crazed climate".

Nelson's Little Mix bandmates told the programme about the toll internet bullies took on the singer. "The three of us didn't know what to do," said Jade Thirlwall. "We just had to watch this amazing, funny girl become a bit like a broken doll. It was horrible."

She added: "I remember feeling really angry. I wanted to just find every single person that had ever said anything horrible to her, look them in the eye and say, 'Look what you've done to this girl.'"

The Times' Joe Clay said it showed Nelson "putting on a brave face against social-media trolls", while Alice Vincent in The Telegraph suggested "it's not just Jesy Nelson" who has suffered such treatment.

While Nelson's mental health has gradually improved since she deleted Twitter, Leigh-Anne Pinnock from the band said there had been a lasting impact.

"She is a little bit of a nightmare when it comes to video shoots and photo shoots," she said. "It has been a bit hard within the group. People don't realise what bullying and trolling can do to someone. The trolls took away her love for it and her passion. But how does she get that back?"

Nelson announced earlier this year that she was making a documentary exploring body image and mental health because she wanted to "make a change and a difference to other people's lives".